2005 Toyota Aygo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 10,552 MOT tests, the 2005 Toyota Aygo recorded a 69.2% pass rate. City cars of a similar age fail 29.4% of the time, so this is 1.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 23.2% of all tests — 10.1 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,528 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 19.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 33.1% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 23.2% | 2,447 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.1% | 1,377 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.9% | 1,260 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.9% | 838 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.4% | 777 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.7% | 602 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 1,528 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,219 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 1,079 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 764 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 698 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 639 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 37.7% | 3,979 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.2% | 3,398 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.4% | 3,001 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.2% | 2,347 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.0% | 1,789 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.9% | 1,045 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 262 | 19.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,362 | 24.5% |
| 60-90k | 3,662 | 30.4% |
| 90-120k | 3,472 | 33.0% |
| 120-150k | 1,431 | 33.2% |
| 150k+ | 356 | 33.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,573 | 29.8% |
| 2022 | 2,355 | 29.8% |
| 2023 | 2,182 | 32.2% |
| 2024 | 1,871 | 31.3% |
| 2025 | 1,571 | 31.3% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Aygo
On a 2005 Aygo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 23.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (23.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (11.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2005 Toyota Aygos pass their MOT?
69.2% of the 10,552 2005 Toyota Aygo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Toyota Aygo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.2% of tests, followed by suspension (13.1%).
Does the 2005 Aygo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.9% in the 0-30k band to 33.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,552 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.